Further Arrests and Detention of alleged SLA Sympathizers

سودانيزاونلاين.كومsudaneseonline.com5/18/2005 8:27am SOAT

Sudan Organisation Against Torture

Human Rights Alert: 18 May 2005

Further arrests and Detention of alleged SLA Sympathizers

1. On 12 January 2005, Security Forces in Nyala arrested Ahmed Ali Abu Algasim (30 yrs), a merchant belonging to the Burno tribe, on suspicion of supporting the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA). Mr. Ahmed was arrested from the main market in Nyala and taken to the Security Offices in Nyala where he remains in detention and is facing no official charges. Mr. Ahmed has been denied access to visits or legal representation.

2. On 9 May 2005, Security Police in Nyala arrested Alexander Adam Mohamed Dawood (28 yrs), a merchant belonging to the Zaghawa tribe on suspicion of supporting the SLA. Mr. Alexander was arrested from his home in Nyala Hey Al-cango and taken to police headquarters in Nyala where he was detained for two days. On 11 May, Mr. Alexander was transferred to Nyala Wasat (central) police station and officially charged under article 51 (Waging War against the State) of the 1991 Penal Code. Mr. Alexander remains in detention awaiting trial.

SOAT has received information that the following men from the Zaghawa tribe were arrested in February 2005 by Security Forces and Janjaweed militias in Nyala on suspicion of suspecting the SLA. The men remain in detention and have been denied access to visits and legal representation. The details of the men are as follows:

1. Omer Sabir, (35 yrs), a merchant who lives in Nyala Hey Aljeer, was arrested from his shop in a market in southern Nyala. During his arrest, security officers confiscated 5 million Sudanese dinars from him.

3. Faisal Yagoub Mukhtar, (22 yrs), a nomad, was arrested from Reel village, 20 km east of Nyala. Mr. Faisal was beaten severely during the arrest; the Janjaweed militias beat him all over his body with their guns and sticks.

SOAT expresses fears for the detainees as SOAT has documented the torture of hundreds of cases of persons detained on suspicion of supporting rebel opposition groups in Darfur by government forces. Systematic torture in Darfur cannot be denied, thus SOAT calls upon the government of Sudan (GoS) to give assurances that Ahmed Ali Abu Algasim, Alexander Adam Mohamed Dawood, Omer Sabir, Bashir Omer and Faisal Yagoub Mukhtar will not be tortured or ill-treated.

SOAT strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest of these men and calls on the government of Sudan to:

Take all necessary measures to ensure the physical and psychological integrity of all the detainees.

Immediately release all the detainees in the absence of valid legal charges, or if legitimate charges exist, bring them before an impartial tribunal and guarantee procedural rights at all times.

Ensure that all the detainees have access to legal advice Guarantee respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of association throughout Sudan in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards;

The above recommendations should be sent in appeals to the following addresses: